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Chrismation: a Primer for Catholics H University of Portland Pilot Scholars Theology Faculty Publications and Presentations Theology 3-2016 Chrismation: A Primer for Catholics H. Richard Rutherford University of Portland, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://pilotscholars.up.edu/the_facpubs Part of the Religion Commons Citation: Pilot Scholars Version (Modified MLA Style) Rutherford, H. Richard, "Chrismation: A Primer for Catholics" (2016). Theology Faculty Publications and Presentations. 20. http://pilotscholars.up.edu/the_facpubs/20 This Book Review is brought to you for free and open access by the Theology at Pilot Scholars. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theology Faculty Publications and Presentations by an authorized administrator of Pilot Scholars. For more information, please contact [email protected]. BOOK REVIEWS I Chrismation: A Primerfor Catholics By Nicholas E. Denysenko. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2014. Pages, 209. Paper, $34.95. ISBN: 978-0-8146-6273-l (print); 978-0-8146-6298-4 (e-book). Bringing his experience of the real life practice ofchrisma­ tion to his prolific scholarship, cantor and deacon Nicholas Denysenko highlights two principal experiences ofthe rite as Iynchpins of his primer: the anointing ofinfants as a continuation ofthe rite of water baptism and the reception ofconverts into the Orthodox Church. According to Denysenko, these two experiences ofchrismation best embody the true meaning of Christian belonging and thus serve as a thread to understanding the rite in aJI its multiple manifestations in East and West. One comes away from a careful reading with a fresh appreciation for chrismation both in churches oforiental rite traditions and for confirmation in Roman Catholicism, together with innovative suggestions for giving new life to both. Solid documentary and explanatory footnotes and frequent parenthetical defi­ nition of unfamiliar terms support the reader throughout. The book, like chrismation itselfin the author's perspective, is all about a theology of belonging. That insight makes for a fulfilling read and, with its thoroughly developed analysis ofchrismation in the life of the church, renders the book a must-read for everyone responsible for the education, formation, and celebration of the mystery of Christian initiation. While the book is indeed a "primer for Catholics; that subtitle should not limit its audience. Many Orthodox and, indeed, Christians ofdiffering liturgical traditions will find that Chrismation opens new doors to understanding Christian initiation in all its aspects. The very organization of the book illustrates Denysenko's command ofsound liturgical rheology. Following a lengthy introduction on background, perspective, outline, and method, he unpacks chrismation's liturgical story, the eucharistic context, and the euchology and rituals of the consecration of chrism on Holy Thursday and its place in the post-baptismal rites ofanointing, 187 VOLU ME 90 MARCH 2016 both in Christian initiation (chap. I) and in the reception ofconverts to Orthodoxy (chap. 2). In both of these thoroughly documented and skillfully argued chapters he demonstrates how the ritual context of chrismation (Eucharist/consecration) embodies a theology of holiness in community with the Blessed Trinity and fellow baptized faithful. Both chapters are alive with the voices of pastoral experience, the author's own and those of Orthodox faithful-a welcome thread running throughout the work. Chapter 3 turns to the voices ofleading Orthodox theologians, both classic and contemporary. Here too the full liturgical theological context, from consecration through anointing to Eucharist, including in particular God's initiative in the sacraments and their effects, remains the focus. With clarity and transparency Denysenko presents what otherwise might have been a tedious theoretical review ofscholarship to one not familiar with Orthodox identity formation and sacramental theology. As illustration, his "dialogue" with Alexander Schmemann comes full circle: from a collegial critique to duly deserved tribute as principal inspiration for the author's understanding of chrismation in relation to Christian identity of "service in, to, and for the life of the world." He successfully relates the liturgical theology ofchapters 1 and 2 to the tapestry of Orthodox theology of chapter 3, closing the chapter with a proposal for new models of identity formation. "Chrismation and Catholic Confirmation" {chap. 4) will surely be a favorite for both Catholics and Orthodox who have been following the century-long discussion about confirmation as a separate Catholic sacrament and its evolu­ tion in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. As in chapter 2 on Orthodoxy, here too Denysenko engages in dialogue with the contributions of well-known scholars of Catholic confirmation, extending the insights ofPaul Turner, Max Johnson, Frank ~nn, Dominic Serra, and others in search of a way to restore confirmation to its native home (as in Orthodoxy) while honoring the pastoral history of a separated confirmation. Drawing on this thorough examination of liturgical history and theology, including the place ofconfirmation in Chris­ tian initiation, the nature of the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the perennial ques­ tion about the age for reception, he offers a practical proposal to reconfigure confirmation "by adding a blessing ofoil at the Chrism Mass designated for a 188 BOOK REVIEWS • solemn anointing of adolescents." In doing so, he seeks to honor both the litur­ gical and the pastoral/catechetical realities of confirmation. Yet, one wonders whether the proposal adequately takes into account the possibility that the proposal could backfire. Might a new solemn anointing of adolescents empha­ size even more what makes the separated sacrament appealing, possibly in­ creasing the isolation of its initiatory meaning? Such are the questions the author raises as he invites Orthodoxy and Catholicism into a fruitful "ecu­ menical gift exchange" around the mystery of the anointing with chrism today. Just as Denysenko set the stage with substance in the introduction, in a lengthy conclusion he summarizes the book's main contributions, suggests areas need­ ing further study, offers pastoral and ecumenical recommendations for the celebration of chrismation, and, finally, reflects again on anointing with chrism as gift of the Holy Spirit enabling 04the twofold covenantal belonging to the communities of the Triune God and his people" (p. 202), Throughout the work Denysenko marshals his scholarly heritage in a respect· ful and challenging manner, taking the reader beyond established scholarship. In the spirit of ecumenical action signaled by recent popes and patriarchs, this masterful contribution to mutual understanding of the sacrament among Catholics and Orthodox, East and West, may have the greatest potential to seal a final reunion and heal the wounds ofdivision. Conceived in the trenches of pastoral ministry and born of productive research, Chrismation succeeds wonderfully at its stated goal 04to unveil the mystery of chrismation and reveal it as a powerful sacrament of belonging capacitating the Christian to assume a holy identity in Christ in service in, to, and for the life of the world" (p. 202). Few are better equipped to help us understand this mystery than Nicholas Denysenko. H. RICHARD RUTHERFORD, CSC University of Portland Portland, Oregon ••••• 189 .
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